M-Audio is now shipping the M-Audio® O2—an ultra-thin USB MIDI controller for use with software such as Propellerhead Reason and Ableton Live. M-Audio has also announced the newest member of the popular Delta line—the Audiophile 192™ digital audio interface card.

M-Audio O2 features 25 full-size, half-action, velocity-sensitive keys, along with eight MIDI-assignable knobs, eight MIDI-assignable buttons, and assignable volume slider. A sustain pedal input is also provided. The knobs, button and slider can be assigned to any MIDI continuous controller value or note on/off value as appropriate. Other MIDI support includes program, Bank LSB, Bank MSB and SysEx. The unit features five non-volatile memory locations allowing users to store controller setups and the Enigma software editor/librarian provides for unlimited memory storage on Macs and PCs. (Enigma is a free download for registered owners.)

The M-Audio O2 can be powered either from the USB bus or a 9V DC external power supply (optional). The unit is class-complaint with both Windows XP and Mac OS X for plug-and-play compatibility. Minimum system requirements for Windows are any system running XP (SP1). Minimum system requirements for Mac are OS X 10.1.5 or greater. For Mac, a native USB port is required and G3/G4 accelerator cards are not supported. MSRP: $179.95.

Analog connectivity is via 1/4-inch TRS balanced connections. A second set of 1/4-inch TRS outs is dedicated to direct hardware input monitoring. The S/PDIF coaxial digital I/O features 2-channel PCM with SCMS copy protection control, as well as pass-through of surround-encoded AC-3 and DTS pass-through. (Windows XP is required for Dolby Digital and DTS pass-through on the PC; Mac OS X 10.3.4 is required for Dolby Digital and DTS pass-through with Apple DVD Player.)

Drivers include support for ASIO, WDM, GSIF 2 and Core Audio for compatibility with most applications.